Jun 24, 2025 | Termite Control
Green circles or disk-like plastic stations in your yard can raise questions, especially for homeowners new to pest protection and construction. Are they waste? Signs of a plant disease? Or could they be serving a more important purpose? Many residents, especially those in new constructions, notice these green zones and are unsure if they’re harmless or a sign of concern. This guide will explain exactly what those green circles are, why they’ve appeared in your yard, and what actions (if any) you should take. If you’re interested in protecting your home and understanding modern termite protection options for new builds, read on for clear answers.
New Construction: Termite Protection Options
Decoding the Green Circles in Your Yard
You may spot small, green, plastic objects scattered in the mulch or lawn, often flush with the ground. While it’s natural to wonder if they’re part of garden irrigation or remnants from building projects, these are most likely termite bait stations, specifically from systems such as Sentricon.
What Are Sentricon Stations?
Sentricon stations are round, green, low-profile devices installed flush with the soil around the perimeter of homes. These units form part of a targeted system designed to protect homes from subterranean termites, a threat that causes billions of dollars in damage in the US annually.
How Do Sentricon Stations Work For Termite Protection?
Bait not Barrier: Unlike chemical barrier treatments, Sentricon uses a strategic approach. Each green station contains termite bait that attracts termites searching for food.
Silent solution: Foraging termites take the bait back to the colony and share it, ultimately wiping out the population and its queen.
Continuous termite protection: The stations are always active, working round the clock to intercept termites before they can harm your home.
Why Are These Stations in My Yard?
You’ll most often see these stations in two scenarios:
1. Recent Termite Prevention Service
If you’ve recently purchased, built, or moved into a home, especially in areas susceptible to termite issues, it’s likely that a pest control company has installed these as part of a comprehensive prevention plan.
2. New Construction Focus
Many new homes come pre-equipped with termite protection due to stronger building codes and widespread awareness of risk from termites. If you’re moving into a new development or have undertaken a remodel, you might find these green circles have been placed for your protection.
3. Ongoing Protection
A proactive homeowner, or one with a history of termite concerns, may have had these stations installed as a year-round protection plan. Unlike one-time treatments, bait stations provide consistent monitoring without the need for repeated chemical reapplications.
Are These Green Circles Okay?
EPA Approved and Eco-Friendly
One of the reasons Sentricon and similar systems have become so widely adopted is their reputation for well-being and minimal environmental impact.
- Non-toxic to Children and Pets: The stations are sealed and contain bait only harmful to termites. They won’t poison your pets, children, or pollinators like bees.
- Environmentally Responsible: Unlike widespread chemical sprays, these stations target only termites, reducing unnecessary pesticide use and protecting beneficial insects.
- Public Health Approved: Sentricon is EPA registered, confirming its commitment to health standards and reduced risk.
What Should You Do If You See a Green Station?
Simple Steps for Homeowners
- Leave it Alone: These stations are working 24/7 to protect your home. Avoid tampering, moving, or opening them.
- Check Visibility: Keep stations clear of mulch, soil, debris, or thick grass. This ensures termites can easily find the bait, and your pest technician can inspect and replenish bait when necessary.
- Inspect for Damage: If you notice a station is missing, broken, or has been run over by lawn equipment, contact your pest control provider for a replacement.
- Do Not Cover: Placing heavy objects or landscape fabric over stations can block termites’ access or prevent timely servicing.
How Often Should the Stations Be Checked?
For maximum effectiveness, a pest control professional should inspect the stations regularly (typically every quarter or as defined in your agreement). During checks, technicians will:
- Examine stations for termite activity
- Replace used bait
- Identify and address any damage
The Science and Strategy Behind Sentricon
Why Choose Bait Over Liquid Barriers?
Traditional termite treatments use liquid chemicals to create a barrier. Sentricon takes a different approach, prioritizing environmentally sound practices and long-term colony control.
- Targeted Impact: Bait is shared throughout the termite colony, eliminating both workers and the queen, not just those that encounter a sprayed area.
- Reduced Pesticide Load: No widespread soil saturation, so there’s decreased risk of environmental contamination.
- Discreet and Effective: Green stations blend into your landscape, don’t produce odor, and pose no risk during heavy rains or flooding.
What If You Don’t Have Green Stations?
If you’re not seeing green circles in your yard and haven’t recently discussed termite prevention with a pest control professional, now is the time to consider proactive termite protection. Subterranean termites can invade any home with wood, regardless of age or construction quality. Early detection and prevention are much less costly than repairing damage when an infestation is discovered.
- Contact a professional: Schedule a termite inspection to assess risks and discuss preventative installation.
- Ask about alternatives: Professionals can recommend a range of solutions based on your needs and local termite activity.
Year-Round Termite Protection for Peace of Mind
Unexplained green circles in your yard are not a sign of trouble, but of prevention. Termite bait stations, especially Sentricon, represent current best practices for termite protection, featuring protecting, scientific backing, and eco-friendly design.
By understanding what these devices are, why they appear, and how to maintain them, you’re taking a key step in protecting your investment and maintaining your home’s value.
Take Action to Protect Your Home and Landscape With Termite Protection
If you spot green stations in your yard, know they are working to keep your home protected and healthy. Keep them visible, in good condition, and notify your service provider of any issues. If you’d like to ensure your new construction is protected, or if you’re unsure if your current home has proper termite defense, contact a licensed pest control professional for advice or an on-site evaluation.
A small green circle today can mean the preservation of your home for decades to come.
Jun 12, 2020 | Termite Control
Swarming termites are also known as alates. Swarming termites are usually a seasonal nuisance as they cannot bite, sting, or even chew wood. While they don’t usually cause damage themselves, they do, however, indicate that there is an established colony nearby. These seasoned termites are capable of causing extensive damage to your home.
When dealing with swarming termites there are three important questions to ask: When do they swarm? Where do they swarm? Why do they swarm?
When Do They Swarm?
Termite swarming season varies by species. Subterranean termites swarm during daylight hours in the spring. Drywood termites swarm in late summer to early fall. Dampwood termites swarm in the summer. Most species of termites have specific conditions they wait for in order to start swarming. They usually wait for the day after a rainstorm, overcast weather, and wind speeds less than 6 mph.
Where Do They Swarm?
Swarming termites are found anywhere termites colonize. Termites can swarm indoors or outdoors, although they cannot survive indoors as there is no soil for them to create their colonies in. Swarming termites are attracted to light and are often found near windows and light fixtures. As termites get ready to swarm, they prepare a swarm tube which they use to launch. When the conditions are right, they use the tube to swarm. After a brief flight which lasts for only a few seconds, they land and break their wings away from their bodies. They then pair with a mate. Those pairs that survive then create a chamber underground that they use to breed and the new colony is formed. Swarm launches are usually spread out over a few days with a large release on the first day and smaller launches on subsequent days.
Why Do They Swarm?
The sole purpose of termite swarms is reproduction and expansion of the colony. The original termite colony reaches capacity and needs to expand. This is usually done once per year, hence termite swarming season. Both males and females swarm at this time. The number of termites that swarms each season varies depending on the size of the colony and the species of the termite.
Because a termite swarm indicates a nearby colony, homeowners should take precaution when one is spotted nearby. A thorough inspection of your home and property should be performed looking for signs of termites. This is also a good time to set up your annual termite inspection if you haven’t already. If you suspect you have a termite infestation, contact a professional pest control company who can inspect your property and set up a termite control plan.
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Apr 3, 2020 | Termite Control
A home is one of the biggest investments one can make and termite damage can be one of the most costly. Termites can colonize your home and cause significant destruction undetected over a long period of time. This can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars in treatment and repairs.
Termites will colonize near readily available food sources, typically soft or rotting wood. They will seek out these moist areas in and around your home in search of a new colony site. The best plan is always termite prevention. The first step in prevention is recognizing what attracts termites to your home in the first place. Here are five things that could be attracting termites to your home:
Wood Piles
Firewood and other wood piles are a huge termite attractant and also provide them with a quick and easy ride into your home. Firewood should be stored at least 20 feet from your home and elevated at least 5 inches off the ground.
Dead Trees
As trees die and rot, the dead trees and stumps will attract termites. They will then move from these stumps and trees to your home. Remove and clear any dead trees and stumps from your property.
Moisture
Poor drainage, lack of airflow, and leaking pipes all contribute to moisture problems in the home AND create conditions conducive to termite infestations. Subterranean termites need an abundant source of nearby water to survive, so reducing moisture is an easy way to help prevent a termite infestation and damage. Consider enclosing your crawlspace to further enhance the overall health of your home, by reducing excess moisture, decreasing humidity, preventing mold and wood rot, controlling pests (including termites!), and lowering utility bills.
Landscaping
While aesthetically pleasing, mulch can actually be a big attractant for termites. Mulch is comprised of wood chips which can retain moisture, making them an attractive food source for termites. Consider replacing mulch with another medium or, if you do use it, try to keep it at least 15 inches from your foundations.
Gutters
Clogged gutters can lead to damage to your home on their own but they can also be an attractant to termites. As leaves, twigs, and other debris build up in your gutters, the excess moisture can soften your roof and cause it to rot. These soft spots attract termites and also provide them with an easy access point into your home. Keep your gutters cleaned out regularly or consider installing gutter guards to prevent clogs.
Another component of termite control and prevention is the professional termite inspection. There are three circumstances where a termite inspection should be performed:
- As a prospective home buyer. During the buying process, potential homeowners should request a termite inspection which can show any potential termite damage and provide time for treatment and repairs during the negotiation phase of the transaction.
- As a homeowner. All homeowners should have a professional termite inspection every 3 to 5 years. By doing this, homeowners can catch infestations early and appropriate treatments or prevention techniques can be implemented before the damage progresses.
- If termite treatment has been performed previously. Homeowners who have had termite treatments done in the past should also schedule ongoing, routine termite inspections to maintain treatment and monitoring going forward. Most termite control companies offer these services as part of their termite protection plan with their treatments.
If you suspect you have a termite problem, contact a professional pest control company who can provide you with a thorough inspection and comprehensive treatment and prevention plan.
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Oct 25, 2019 | Termite Control
Are termites active in fall and winter? The answer is a resounding yes! All species of termites are active year-round, even in the cold weather of fall and winter. The only difference in termite activity when the weather cools off is a change in their routine – termites will nest deeper in the ground to access warmth and modify their tunnels for easier access to winter food sources. If termites have already colonized your home or office their routine won’t change at all. Heated buildings and their adjacent soil provide the ideal habitat for termites to thrive even in cold weather. Colony queens also lay their eggs year-round which means that not only are termites active during every season, their colonies are also consistently growing. Swarming termites are unlikely to be seen in the fall and winter months as termite swarming season typically begins in the spring.
Regardless of the season, there are some common signs of termite infestations to look for in your home or office including:
- Crumbling wood
- Hollow windows and doors
- Bubbling or buckling floors
- Loose tiles
- Holes in drywall
- Sagging sheetrock
- Discoloration of ceilings or walls
There are a few steps for termite protection you can take in and around your home. Make sure all water and gas lines are sealed adequately. Fix any leaky faucets or appliances and get rid of any standing water. Try to eliminate any cellulose material as this is a termite’s primary food source.
If you suspect you have a problem with termites or want to make sure you stay ahead of any potential problems, contact a professional termite control company who can provide you with a free termite inspection and set you up with the most comprehensive termite protection for your situation.
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Oct 7, 2019 | New Construction, Termite Control
When you purchase your new home, you have hundreds of things to consider and decide on: What furniture do you need? Are any renovations needed right away? Does your home insurance cover everything? There is a lot to take in!
One thing that typically doesn’t come to mind until a few months after you’ve moved in is, “What about termite protection?” Termites are something that can cause damage to your home, and that damage is often not covered by home insurance policies. Sometimes, you won’t think about it until the damage has already occurred, but there are steps you can take to prevent termite damage. With the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System and a termite provider’s inspection, your home can be protected.
So, what are the benefits of Sentricon Termite Protection?
- With Sentricon, your home is protected every day, the moment it is installed. This is because the bait is always active; once the termite finds the bait, they will bring it back to their colony, essentially eliminating the colony before it can reach your home!
- Another benefit of the Sentricon System is that it allows you to choose a termite warranty for your home through your provider! With Northwest, we offer a Retreat or a Repair and Retreat Warranty. With the warranty, your home is protected even if the termites do cause damage.
- The third benefit of the Sentricon System and a termite provider’s protection is the annual inspection! This inspection allows your home to be checked for any signs of termite activity, which should allow your provider to catch any activity or damage before it begins. Termites prefer the bait that Sentricon provides to other competitors, so you can sleep well at night knowing your home is protected year-round.
Termite protection may not be at the top of your list, but when you think about the $5 Billion in damages that termites cause every year, it is something to highly consider! If you’re considering purchasing a new construction home, connect with your builder about what they offer your home for termite protection!
If you have questions about the right type of termite protection or warranty for your home, give your local termite provider a call; they’ll be able to answer all your important questions so you can make the right decision for your home and family.
